Above: Carissa Etienne

By the Caribbean Journal staff

Dominica native Dr Carissa Etienne has been sworn in as the new director of the Pan American Health Organization, following a ceremony in Washington Thursday.

She succeeds outgoing PAHO Director Dr Mirta Roses Periago.

“Today is further proof that regardless of where you come from, the size of your country does not always determine the strength of your voice, or your capacity to lead,” said Organization of American States Assistant Secretary General Albert Ramdin. “The hemisphere must be proud, knowing that PAHO will continue from strength to strength in its service to the people.”

Etienne was chosen by OAS Member States in September at the 28th Pan American Sanitary Conference.

She was formerly the assistant director general for health systems and services at the World Health Organization in Geneva.

The ceremony took place at the PAHO headquarters in Washington.